- by Owen Stuart
- November 7 2019
- Energy & Resources
- liquid natural gas (LNG)
- Trade
Why LNG Exports Are Expanding Rapidly
The natural gas boom associated with expanding tight oil (oil from shale) production has left the US with more natural gas than it can use. This has suppressed prices and made US natural gas highly competitive on the global market. While pipeline exports to Canada and Mexico have increased rapidly, they are still quite small, leaving US suppliers wishing for additional accessible markets. The solution? Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
4 Trends in US Recovered Paper Trade
Trade of paper and paperboard products has been roiled by recent environmental initiatives in China. In January 2018, the Chinese government began enforcing its National Sword policy, which banned imports of recycled paper with contamination (presence of foreign objects) rates over 0.5%. Furthermore, as part of the US-China trade war, China has levied tariffs on recovered paper imports. How has this impacted the US paper recycling industry?
- by Owen Stuart
- August 7 2019
- athletic footwear
- China
- consumer goods
- Consumer Products
- Trade
Shoe Production Set for Cross-Border Trek as China’s Labor Costs Rise
The US footwear market is heavily dependent on Chinese sourcing; as of 2018, the country accounted for 53% of all footwear imports. While this makes China the largest provider of footwear to the US, China’s market share has been falling from a 2010 peak of 76%.
- by Owen Stuart
- April 10 2019
- Metals & Minerals
- Trade
The Aluminum Industry is Looking Shiny, For Now
The aluminum industry is looking up. Historically low aluminum prices have finally risen due to the effect of the US government’s tariffs on imported primary aluminum. However, the future of the industry may not be quite so bright if the tariffs are repealed.
- by Chris Dyer
- July 27 2018
- Materials & Chemicals
- Trade
Trade War: Will PVC Resin Take a Hit?
Price-competitive globally, US producers of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) found extensive opportunities abroad over the past decade, particularly as China and other developing countries built out their infrastructure. In 2017, China accounted for 11% of US PVC exports. As the Trump administration outlines its tariff plans, China has readied its own. Both countries have added a list of second-tier tariffs – primarily focused on chemicals – to be imposed on a case-by-case basis. Will PVC resin make the cut?
- by Chris Dyer
- May 9 2018
- food and beverage
- Trade
Seeds of Doubt Sprouting Among US Farmers
As the Trump administration mulls over making changes to the US ethanol mandate and China proposes tariffs on US agricultural imports, US farmers are growing increasingly anxious. Two key field crops may be significantly impacted by the decisions.
- by Steven Richmond
- June 13 2017
- Industrials
- Trade
Can US Smelters Compete?
US aluminum production is at a historic low. Is this the result of anti-competitive practices by foreign suppliers, or an uncompetitive US industry?
- by Matthew Rolfe
- January 30 2017
- Durable Goods
- Mexico
- Trade
Sweeping Impacts of the Proposed Mexico Import Tax
On January 26, 2017, the Trump administration suggested a 20% tax on imports from Mexico, in order to fund construction of a wall separating the countries. As Mexico represents the US’ second-largest source of general imports (which includes the value of goods intended for re-export), this begs the question: which US industries and markets could be impacted by a tax on imports from Mexico?